Tomato Costoluto Genovese Vegetable Seeds

TOMATO ‘Costoluto Genovese’ Vegetable Seeds

Botanical Name: Solanum lycopersicum

• A famous Italian heirloom tomato known for its deeply ribbed shape and intense, full-bodied flavour.
• Produces large, bright red fruits that are excellent for sauces, passata, roasting and summer salads.
• High acidity and strong tomato flavour makes it perfect for Italian cooking and preserving.
• Indeterminate growth habit with vigorous vines that benefit from staking or trellising.
• Performs well in warm, sunny positions with good airflow and rich soil.
• Open-pollinated heirloom variety—ideal for saving seeds from season to season.

Plant Details

• Plant Type: Warm-season annual vegetable (indeterminate vine tomato)
• Height: 1.6 – 2 m with support
• Fruit Size: Large, 200 – 300 g
• Fruit Colour: Bright red
• Shape: Deeply ribbed, classic Italian heritage shape
• Days to Harvest: Approx. 80 – 95 days from transplanting
• Pollination: Open-pollinated heirloom

Sowing Information

• Sow When (Australia):
  • Cool: Start indoors August – October
  • Temperate: August – November
  • Subtropical: August – December
  • Tropical: April – July during the cooler, drier season
  • Arid: August – November, avoiding extreme heat
• Germination Temperature: 18 – 28 °C
• Germination Time: 7 – 14 days
• Sowing Depth: 5 – 10 mm
• Sow Where: Raise seedlings in trays or small pots; transplant when soil is warm and frost risk has passed.
• Spacing: 50 – 60 cm between plants; 80 – 100 cm between rows
• Position: Full sun (minimum 6–8 hours daily)
• Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost or aged manure; pH 6.0 – 7.0

Growing Tips

• Plant seedlings deeply to encourage a strong root system and vigorous early growth.
• Provide sturdy stakes or a trellis—vines become heavy with large fruits.
• Mulch well to conserve moisture and protect soil biology.
• Water deeply at the base to reduce leaf diseases; avoid overhead watering.
• Feed regularly with balanced fertiliser; avoid excessive nitrogen to prevent leafy growth at the expense of fruit.
• Prune lightly to improve airflow while avoiding heavy pruning that can reduce yields.

Harvest

• Harvest when fruits are fully red and slightly soft when gently pressed.
• Perfect for fresh eating, bottling, slow-roasting and rich Italian sauces.
• Pick regularly to maintain continuous fruit set.

When to Sow Tomato ‘Costoluto Genovese’ in Your Climate (Australia)